The only guitar you should give to any airline is one that you want converted into toothpicks. Thats why I got a travel guitar. Consider one of those or a mandolin to travel with. I just read that American will be cracking down { no pun intended } on carry on luggage larger than a certain size. I'll check the article and let you know but it's smaller than a guitar to be sure. I think the airlines have forgotten that we are the customers that they are supposed to be taking care of - don't get me started.

Pat Kirtley has a website somewhere with an interesting article about traveling with the guitar. But my last piece of advise would be NO !!! DON'T DO IT !!!